Sugar mills call for early announcement of export policy
Sugar production in 2025-26 is projected to rise to 343.5 lakh tonnes due to better crop conditions, especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka. With 34 lakh tonnes diverted to ethanol and domestic use at 285 lakh tonnes, around 20 lakh tonnes may be available for export. ISMA has sought an early export policy announcement.
The Indian Sugar and Bio Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) expected gross sugar production during the current season (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026) to be 343.5 lakh tonnes compared with 296.1 lakh tonnes last sugar season.
The cane area in Maharashtra has increased from 13.82 lakh hectares to 14.71 lakh hectares and with abundant rainfall, the crop condition is better than last year. Hence, yield and recovery are expected to improve.
In Karnataka, the area has increased by about 6% to 6.8 lakh hectares. However, in Uttar Pradesh, the cane area has declined by approximately 3% to 22.57 lakh hectares.
With 34 lakh tonnes of the total production expected to be diverted to ethanol, an opening balance of 50 lakh tonnes and domestic consumption of 285 lakh tonnes, nearly 20 lakh tonnes is available for exports. The Association has urged the government to announce the export policy at the earliest.
India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) said in a press release that it expects gross sugar production to rise to 34-34.5 million tonne in Sugar Season 26. The government’s policy actions in the form of export quotas to manage the surplus will be a key determinant of domestic sugar prices, it said.
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Source : The Hindu
